The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-04-23
PIONEER EXPERIENCES.
How a Helena Editor Fought His Way
to Peace.
From the San Francisco Examiner


From the San Francisco Examiner.
T. w. Fisk, editor and proprietor of the
Helena (Mon) Herald, is in town and is
stopping at the Palace Mr. Fisk is a son-in-
law Of Major Walker, who is a brother-in-
law of James G. Blaine. Speaking of the
weather of the past winter, he says it was
the most severe that Montana has ever expe-
rienced. and stock interests have suffered
seriously. In several districts provisions
were scarce.
Helena isnow an enterprising city of Il, 900
people, with three railway lines, and more
will be added in the near future. When Mr..
Fisk went to the place it was a mere camp
one of the old time mining camps that Cali
fornia people know all about. The camp
was inhabited by about 5000 Missourians,
nearly all Confederate army men, who
emlgrated there at the close of the civil
war. Mr.. Fisk went into the country un-
known, and being printer and an enter
prlSlng young man, he observed with pleas
ure the field for a paper He did not think
long over the scheme, but got supply of
type and other material which he stored in
tWO-StOry log house, where the brick Office
of the Herald now stands
1t took some time to get matters systema-
tized, but with the assistance of the guerrilla
MlSsourlanS, the first number was at last
issued. 1t was an evening paper. Early
next morning a howling mob gathered in
front Of the newspaper office The sheet was
Republican i'll tone. Every one of the 5000
MissOurians was Democratic to the back
bone, and the principles of the journal and
the politics of the people did not harmonic.
Mr.. Fisk was in the top story throwing in
type and heard the mob. He was not at all
agitated and continued his work. The noise
below became more threatening, and when
no +f1f,N tod
that further publication be suppressed, his
speech was hailed with satisfaction
1t was unanimously agreed that the Office
should be torn down and everything de
strOyed and the editor be escorted out of
camp. They made rush to demolish the
door. Fisk, noting the progressed state Of
hostilitieS threw open small window on
the second story and stuck his head out. He
called ON the mob to desist They answered
with yells of derision.
II can thrash the best man among you,"
yelled out the object of attack.
A prize fight was always a treat in camp
and Fisks challenge was accepted with
cheers.
"I'll be down in minute" he called out,
as he shut the window. When he faced tie
mob he was attired in fighting costume, and
under the tree which shaded the Office he
looked like some antique god in his sylvan
haunts. The Missourians brought forth
regular Hercules, but not a tremor could be
noted on Ft,k's physique as he looked upon
his adversary. airing was formed and the
battle began. Fisk was an athlete and in
robust development and he possessed an
abundance of courage. The Missourian was
giant, but as clumsy as they make them.
He hit out at Fisk, who lodged and landed a
singing right handler on the giants left
cheek that brought the claret. From this
time on the battle was Fisk's, and when he
had grassed the champion and put him in
sound sleep he opened his Office door and
every one of the guerrillas in town subscrib-
ed for the paper and paid years subscrip-
ton in advance.
A month afterward another strong Re
publican article appeared in the paper and
Fisk was arrested and taken before Judge
Davis The court considered the offense
very serious ono and fined the defendant $50
for trying to corrupt the morals of the peo-
pie Fisk published right along and the
paper paid immense dividends.